The 7 Best Coastal Runs in the World

Whatever the weather, having the sea to one side of you, waves lapping peacefully over the sand, or smashing dramatically on angular rocks, salt spray spritzing your face as you run resets your mind like nothing else, putting all your worries on the back burner.

As novelist Haruki Murakami said in his book about his love for running, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: “Seeing a lot of water every day is probably an important thing for human beings […] If I go for a time without seeing water, I feel like something’s draining out of me.” Something many runners can relate to.

It doesn’t have to be at the height of summer when you can end your run with a dip — winter coastal runs offer a unique perspective, with battles against coastal winds and horizontal rain pitching you against the elements, providing the ultimate reward at the end of the run.

Here are 7 coastal runs from across the world to seek out:

Bondi to Coogee, Sydney

One of the world’s all-time classic coastal runs. Starting at surfers’ mecca Bondi Beach, a coastal pathway winds up the rockface, hugging the ocean all the way to Coogee Bay around 7km south.

Your eyes will be glued to the sea, where in winter months you might even catch sight of a humpback whale. On your way to Coogee you’ll pass 2,000-year-old Aboriginal rock carvings, Bronte’s stunning Ocean Pool if you fancy cooling down, and a number of coves and bays such as Gordon’s Bay before arriving in Coogee where you can refuel in any number of beachside cafes.

2. Morte Point to Bull Point, Devon, England

Running along any coastal path in the southwest of England provides unmatched drama for scenery, featuring miles of jutting rocks, undulating trails, crashing waves and winds strong enough to blow you over, so it’s tricky to choose one specific path.

This short, challenging section of the South West Coast Path in Devon is a favourite for many runners — Morte Point is a distinctive start point, its startlingly spiky outcrop of white rock famed for causing the sinking of numerous smugglers’ boats. The rocks continue in similar fashion for two miles, until you reach the squat Bull Point lighthouse. Look out for seals basking far below you on the vast slabs.

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3. The Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

Follow in the footsteps of titular legend, giant Finn McCool, and step your way around this geological marvel on Northern Ireland’s northern coastline — make sure you have your phone with you as the photo opportunities come thick and fast.

Start at Portballintrae, head east along moderately challenging trails, go past the famous Giant’s Boot rock (said to be Finn’s shoe) and The Organ basalt column formation and pick up the National Trust Red Trail which leads you towards Weir Snout, finishing up at the 162 Shepherd’s Steps. Get there early to avoid the swathes of tourists.

4. Vancouver’s Stanley Park Seawall

This 13km loop takes you around a must-run part of the Canadian city, skirting the stunning seawall, packed with walkers, runners and cyclists. Wrapping itself around Stanley Park, it takes you past the Brockton Point Lighthouse and under the Lions Gate Bridge before the views open up at Prospect Point to the Strait of Georgia, where stronger winds sting your cheeks. It’s claimed to be the ‘longest uninterrupted waterfront path in the world’, which makes it a must-include here.

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5. Chicago’s Lakefront Trail

Eighteen miles of blissful, largely flat trails, taking runners past some of Chicago’s biggest tourist attractions as well as sweeping you out into quieter, more reflective sections, this offers escape for every type of runner, and you can dip into various sections depending on how far you want to run.

To get the full experience of the rich culture, history and entertainment the city has to offer, start at the quiet southern end at Jackson Harbour and head north, passing art sculptures, the university, museums, through the Burnham Centennial Prairie, the always popular 31st Street Beach, Soldier Field, Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago River, the Navy Pier… your senses will be overloaded on a run that can’t be matched anywhere else in the world.

6. Path of the Gods, Amalfi

On the face of it, this popular trail doesn’t sound too difficult — 7km with sweeping views of the Mediterranean, what’s not to fall in love with?

Well, there are stairs for one thing. Thousands of stairs, up and down, taking you to a height of around 650m. But once you’re perched up on the ancient trails hewn out of rock, you’ll negotiate olive groves, lime kilns, patches of woodland, tourists, hikers and more steps.

It’s not one for a PB, but the route, traversing from Bomerano or Priano, with a choice of low route or high route, before descending down to Nocelle or Positano, will have you gasping at the vistas every few hundred meters.

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7. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Eighteen miles of coastal heaven tracking the former Southern Pacific Railroad, stretching from Castroville south to Pacific Grove, this takes you through some of Monterey’s highlights. From Cannery Row to Fisherman’s Wharf, runners cite highlights such as Lover’s Point and the Point Pinos Lighthouse at Asilomar, as well as plenty of beaches, often with seals basking on rocks, and views that can stretch for miles or be shrouded in fog. You’ll be sharing the path with plenty of other users, including cyclists, skaters and walkers, and it can be busy, so be warned.